Paddleboarding pals Fiona Flanagan and Dave Arcari have completed their collective 112-mile challenge fundraiser for Scottish Mountain Rescue right on cue.
And they’ve also smashed their fundraising target thanks to the generosity of family and friends.
Scottish Mountain Rescue had been challenging people to raise funds by each ‘covering’ 56 miles in May. But Fiona and Dave are the only fundraisers who took up the challenge on stand-up paddleboards – most participants are walking, cycling or running their distance.
As the pair reached the shore after their final paddle on the last day of the challenge on Tuesday, donations stood at an impressive £1658.
“We’re not sure when the donations close, so there may be even more to come,” said Dave. “I think our original fundraising target was £300. When we got close to that figure we upped our target. We had passed the £1000 mark and Fiona said ‘think we can get to £1500?’. I was a little doubtful but we kept things going and smashed that target too.”
Both are self-employed – Fiona runs a B&B in Balmaha and Dave is a songwriter and touring musician – and part of the challenge is freeing up time to coincide with safe paddling conditions.
While 56-miles each on stand-up paddleboard in just a month is quite a feat in itself, the real challenge wasn’t the distance.
“Conditions through May weren’t very conducive to paddleboarding,” said Fiona. “Neither of us can remember a May with such poor weather and constant high winds.”
Despite the weather the pals – based on the east side of Loch Lomond – pulled off the challenge.
Summarising their effort Dave added: “We’re delighted to have completed the challenge and raised a good amount of money.
“A big thanks from us both to all who supported us, and in turn are supporting Scottish Mountain Rescue.”
To support Fiona and Dave’s fundraising for Scottish Mountain rescue, visit https://virtualevent.scottishmountainrescue.org/t/fionadavespaddle
